AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/FU24/1 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Airparts (NZ) Ltd FU 24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/FU24/1
Amdt 2
Elevator Control Cables and Pulleys - Inspection
5/2003
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: 1. With the aid of a strong light, and if necessary a mirror, thoroughly inspect the parts of the upper and lower elevator control cables that pass over the pulleys in the rear of the fuselage at Stations 336.95 and 340.56. Look for wear, corrosion, broken wires and any evidence of cutting or jamming of the cable by foreign objects.
Note: Operate the elevators through full travel when carrying out this inspection, and as far as possible, supplement the visual inspection by feeling the cables for broken wires and other damage.
2. Inspect the cable grooves in both pulleys for hardened deposits of super phosphate (agricultural aircraft only) and for foreign objects.
3. After completion of the inspection, clean out the rear of fuselage of any small loose objects such as stones, rivets and pieces of metal that could migrate into the pulley sheaves and foul or jam the cable.
Compliance: One of the following three compliance times will apply, depending on the type of aircraft operations:
For aircraft engaged only in agricultural operations, at 100 hourly intervals.
For aircraft engaged only in non-agricultural operations, at 150 hourly intervals.
For aircraft engaged in mixed usage operations - i.e. operations where there is a combination of agricultural and non-agricultural operations, at 100 hourly intervals.
This Amendment becomes effective on 15 May 2003.
Airparts (NZ) Ltd FU 24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/FU24/1 Amdt 2 (continued)
Background: This Amendment is issued to make a distinction between aircraft engaged in agricultural operations and aircraft engaged in non-agricultural operations. It has been shown that general deterioration of the elevator control system is a function of the number of flight cycles (i.e. large deflection control movements such as takeoffs and landings) and the type of operation the aircraft is involved in. Aircraft engaged in operations other than agricultural, are not exposed to high flight cycles, corrosive agents such as super phosphate and are not exposed to foreign object accumulation at the same rate as agricultural aircraft. This Amendment allows aircraft engaged predominantly in non-agricultural operations to have the Elevator Control Cables and Pulleys inspected at 150 hourly intervals rather than 100 hourly intervals as specified in the original issue of this Directive. The inspection procedure remains unchanged from the previous issue of this Directive.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 August 1977.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 March 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/FU24/1 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2003, pertains specifically to the elevator control cables and pulleys of the Airparts (NZ) Ltd FU 24 Series Aeroplanes. This AD was enacted to address discrepancies in inspection intervals based on the type of operations the aircraft are involved in, particularly distinguishing between agricultural and non-agricultural operations. Agricultural aircraft are more prone to deterioration due to higher flight cycles and exposure to corrosive agents and foreign objects compared to non-agricultural aircraft. The AD aims to ensure safety by requiring different inspection frequencies: 100 hourly intervals for agricultural and mixed usage operations, and 150 hourly intervals for non-agricultural operations. This legislative instrument was designed to provide a tailored approach to maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, thereby reducing the risk of unsafe conditions related to elevator control cable and pulley systems.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/1 Amdt 2 pertains specifically to the elevator control cables and pulleys of Airparts (NZ) Ltd FU 24 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models of the specified aircraft and mandates a thorough inspection of the elevator control cables and pulleys to identify wear, corrosion, broken wires, and any evidence of cable jamming by foreign objects. Agricultural aircraft, which are exposed to higher flight cycles and corrosive agents such as super phosphate, must undergo this inspection at 100-hour intervals. In contrast, non-agricultural aircraft, which are less frequently exposed to these conditions, must be inspected at 150-hour intervals. For aircraft engaged in mixed usage operations, the inspection interval remains at 100 hours. This amendment was necessitated to account for the differing operational environments of agricultural and non-agricultural aircraft, with the goal of maintaining airworthiness while balancing operational efficiency. The directive became effective on 15 May 2003, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/1 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pertains specifically to the inspection of elevator control cables and pulleys in FU 24 Series Aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd (section 2). The directive applies to all models of these aircraft and specifies the conditions under which the inspection must be conducted (section 3). Operators must perform a thorough inspection of the upper and lower elevator control cables at specified stations, looking for signs of wear, corrosion, broken wires, and foreign objects (section 3(1)). Additionally, the inspection must include checking the cable grooves in the pulleys for hardened deposits of super phosphate and foreign objects (section 3(2)). After the inspection, the rear of the fuselage must be cleared of any loose objects that could interfere with the cables (section 3(3)).
The directive outlines specific compliance intervals based on the type of operations the aircraft is engaged in. For aircraft solely involved in agricultural operations or mixed operations, the inspection must be conducted at 100-hour intervals (section 4). For aircraft engaged exclusively in non-agricultural operations, the inspection interval is extended to 150 hours (section 4). This amendment, effective from 15 May 2003, distinguishes between the inspection frequencies for agricultural and non-agricultural operations based on the differing rates of deterioration observed in the elevator control systems due to factors such as flight cycles and exposure to corrosive agents (section 5).
Failure to comply with the specified inspection intervals and procedures as outlined in this Airworthiness Directive may result in significant safety risks. The CASA delegate, David Alan Villiers, has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliance, which may include administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with CASA regulations generally can result in fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges for serious violations (section 6). The directive was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003 to ensure that all relevant parties are aware of the new requirements and compliance timelines.